Reindeer Games (2000)

REINDEER GAMES is a ridiculous Ben Affleck/Charlize Theron/Gary
Sinise-starring thriller about a freshly ex-ed con (Affleck) who
assumes the identity of his cellmate, to claim the pen-pal girl-
friend (Theron) that the guy had been writing to. The catch, other
than Affleck's character's occasionally nagging conscience? The
impossibly beautiful, impossibly devoted young lady's brother (Sin-
ese) is an aspiring thief who wants to tap a certain person's know-
ledge of a local casino. Mayhem ensues and liabilities abound.
Affleck isn't exactly a chiseled chin, nor is the incredulous plot
an example of exemplary exposition. The worst offense, though, is
the gravely serious tone. Director John Frankenheimer (RONIN)
doesn't allow even the *slightest* wink-wink at the seeming silli-
ness of it all. Instead, he just lobs comedic non sequiters every
so often, such a thug's truck-cab borne idea for a "Christmas Two."
I left after an hour, to find some pecan f***ing pie. And was that
Issac Hayes at the beginning, discovering a roach in his prison-is-
sue jello? With James Frain, Dennis Farina, Danny Trejo, and Clar-
ence Williams III. (Rated "R"/105 min.)
Grade: W/O
Copyright 2000 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros